Early Access: In Defense of the Bf 110

Excellent video! Have you found any information on why the Luftwaffe didn’t try the 110 during the Spanish Civil War? It could have helped them realize sooner the plane limitations and accelerated their thinking in what role was adequate for it.

Miguel Aldaz

Thanks for the reply. As a former Avionic's on helicopters, access to these systems (on helo's) was generally good. Some not so easy. Lifting a heavy battery into the nose of a Cobra or disconnecting the attitude indicator from behind the instrument panel. You've climbed in many aircraft so you know what I'm talking about. Pulling engines, transmissions, yes, heavy equipment needed. I just think back to your presentations of FW190's with having a maintenance guy, laying down in the rear fuselage. No protection, armor, no way to fight back. It's good that the designers factored accessibility. Kind of mind blowing when the guys would have to change spark plugs.

Frank C

Hey Sean, thanks very much, happy to hear that you enjoyed it !

Military Aviation History

Hey Frank, there are certain similarities in the construction of these planes and the cockpit windows are relatively thin (except upfront if an additional piece of windscreen armor is mounted). Most of the vital elements of a 110, or any modern aircraft of the time were generally easily accessible with either detachable, or swivable panels. A quick check can be done relatively quickly, but more intensive maintenance will still be an effort and require not just tools but at times also special equipment like hoist cranes etc.

Military Aviation History

I certainly agree that it did better than it is remembered nowadays but I am not sure if, even if employed more loosely during the BoB, that this would have changed much for that particular case. Perhaps more focused use against Bomber Command attacks in 1940, but even then many of these were already flown at night.

Military Aviation History

Christer Bergstrom has an interesting take on the 110 in his book on the BoB. He argues that the 110 did better than most believe, and had Göring's close escort diktat not been enforced the 110 would have been even more impressive.

Nice video Chris. Similar comments as Sean had mentioned. Got a question for you. So, as you're looking at these restored aircraft, (UK, USA, German, etc) what can be said about original workmanship, materials used, are the aircraft panels thick, or thin, rivet placement, wire bundles, how does the aircraft skin feel, (rough, smooth, bumpy). Oils, grease, fuel, may have different scent's, do they all smell the same. Is the cockpit glass thick or thin, same materials used? Sort of a weird questions. Bf 110 definitely an interesting and versatile platform. If it had all those 20mm cannon's, obviously a sturdy beast. Do you think the maintainers had an easy time maintaining these, considering swapping out broken instruments, changing shot up tires, or radios. All pretty much accessible? Good luck with PhD work and other stuff, can't tell you how busy things have been for myself too.

Frank C

Thanks so much for making this video, Chris. It was well worth the wait, and I appreciate that you had other topics that were competing for your attention. Your discussion of the Bf-110 was by far the most in-depth and informative of any I've found elsewhere. Some takeaways that were unexpected: The Bf-110 was a "failure" in the sense that the success of any aircraft, but especially twin-engined fighters, was determined by their role and the environment in which they were used. As you noted, it was at a severe disadvantage against single-engine fighters (this is well-known), but what I did not realize previously is that all such fighters, including the P-38, Mosquito, etc., etc. were only successful because of the environments in which they were used. Most interesting. As you noted, it's notable that the aircraft was used throughout the war, despite its early failure during the Battle of Britain, as a stopgap measure while other aircraft were developed. I have to wonder if part of the reason for its continued use might also have been due to the resources and time that had been expended on its development and production, and perhaps a desire to see that those were not a complete waste. Lastly, your point about the timing of its development displays just how staggeringly fast the development of technology was during the war. To go from concept to a fully functional, effective system in a matter of 3-5 years would be impossible nowadays, and highlights what can be accomplished when economies are focused on narrow objectives (in this case, total war). There's so much more that can be said about this video, but I'll just say that I believe you have in fact demonstrated that the Bf-110 design was not in itself a failure, and employed differently might have made it as successful and famous as other twin-engined fighters. Thanks again!

Sean Tyson